Lawsuit: No privacy, time for female police officers to pump at work
(Photo courtesy of the Office of Gov. Tom Wolf)
PHILADELPHIA - A Philadelphia police officer says in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that the department makes it difficult for new mothers to breastfeed at work.
The sex and pregnancy discrimination suit says that despite complaints the department doesn't give women the time and space they need to pump.
Lead plaintiff Janelle Newsome says she stopped nursing her 15-month-old son months early because of the lack of support.
She and a fellow officer, Jennifer Allen, tell The Associated Press they had to pump in unsanitary locker rooms, busy offices or lunch rooms.
The lawsuit accuses the department of violating city, state and federal laws that mandate accommodations for nursing mothers.
About 22% of the city's 6,500 officers are women.
A spokesman says the department has no comment on the pending litigation.
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